The Overcharged Receipt – A Test of Integrity

Sometimes, the universe gives you a pop quiz. No study guide, no warning. Just a simple choice and a silent witness: your conscience.

Imagine this—you're halfway to your car, coffee in hand, when you notice the cashier gave you $20 too much in change. It’s tempting to pocket it and chalk it up as a win. After all, it’s not your fault, right?

But here’s the thing—ethical decisions like this shape our character more than we realize. Returning the money won’t get you a medal. You might not even get a “thank you.” But it reinforces something far more valuable: trust.

Ethics aren’t about the big, flashy moments. They’re built in the quiet, ordinary ones. When we choose honesty in the small things, we strengthen the invisible fabric that holds society together. We show that doing the right thing isn’t dependent on who’s watching.

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much...” – Luke 16:10 (NIV)

It’s easy to justify small compromises: “It’s only $20.” “They’ll never notice.” But Jesus teaches that how we handle the little things is a reflection of who we are and what we’re ready for spiritually. If we cheat the small, how can we be entrusted with the large?

Integrity isn’t measured in dollars or decibels—it’s measured in quiet decisions, made without fanfare. Returning the extra change may seem trivial, but in heaven’s economy, it’s a big deal.

Personal Challenge:
This week, pay attention to the "small tests" of character: the chance to cheat, cut corners, or walk away unnoticed. Choose honesty—even when no one sees.

Prayer:
Lord, make me faithful in the little things. Remind me that every small choice shapes my character and reflects Your light in me. Give me a heart that chooses integrity over convenience, always. Amen.

More Scenarios